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Monday, 19 December 2016

#12DaysofGiveaways Day 7: Nicole Morgan STORM OF SEDUCTION

STORM OF
SEDUCTION

(Snowy
Knights)

Lori Hammond wanted for nothing. As the only heir to her family
fortune she’d learned at a young age she only need ask for whatever she
desired. All the money in the world hadn’t gotten her the one thing in life
that she’d wanted most, Kevin Preston.

As the head of The Gilpin Search and Rescue Team, Kevin knows
the dangers that a Colorado blizzard can bring. And with one looming closer to
their patch of the Rocky Mountains he and his team prepare for the worst winter
storm to hit their county in decades.

Hearing of the blizzard, Lori concocts a scheme to get exactly
what she wants. But, will her plan be the thing that brings them together? Or
will the rewards not be worth the risk as their very survival hangs in the
balance?

Excerpt

Lori Hammond threw the items into her suitcase as quickly as she
could. She mentally ticked off every item on her to-pack list as she went
through her closet. With warm socks, turtlenecks, and of course, her
all-important red teddy which always had a way of making Kevin weak in the
knees, she was just about finished.

“Lori, this is a bad idea. You know that, right?”

She glanced over at her sister, doing her absolute best not to
roll her eyes in annoyance. The last thing she needed was to be lectured by her
boringly responsible, and annoyingly always right, big sis.

“I’m not kidding, Lori. This is a very bad idea. Have you even
thought this through? What about the ‘what ifs’?”

Shaking her head, she answered. “I really don’t need this right
now, Stacey.”

“Fine. If you're not going to be reasonable…" Stacey
reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. "Maybe I should
just call Kevin now and warn him of your extremely
bad plan.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

"Wouldn't I? One of us has to act rationally. And as usual,
it'll probably have to be me."

“Damn it, Stac. This is my
life! Mine!
Can’t you just stay out of it? For once!”

"Funny, I seem to recall you saying these exact same things
every other time you concocted one of your ridiculous schemes. And despite my
numerous objections, you went ahead anyway." Stacey crossed her arms and
offered up a look of disapproval. "And tell me, little sis, just how did
those other plans work out for you?"

Lori glared at her sister. Partly angry for butting into her
business, and partly because she knew her sister was right. Her previous
attempts to win Kevin back had gone horribly wrong. She hardly needed a
reminder of that.

“This time will be different.”

Stacey shook her head and muttered something quietly that Lori
couldn’t understand. Not that she was sure she wanted to hear it, anyway.

“Come on, sis. Please. I’m begging you to not do this right now.
Just let me do what I have to and stay out of it this time.” She glanced at her
watch and added, “I really have to go now if I’m going to make it to the cabin
before the weather turns even nastier.”

“Damn it, Lori.” Stacey crossed the room in a huff and placed
her hands on Lori’s shoulders. “Fine. I’ll stay out of it. Just promise me
you’re going to be careful.”

“I will be. I promise.
Besides, I’m not going into this completely blind. I have long johns on
underneath my jeans. I’m wearing two shirts, and I have my thick parka and
winter gloves. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m pretty sure you said that last time. And the time before
that, and the time before –.”

“Stop!” Lori put an end to her sister’s never-ending point.

“Ugh. I swear, it’s no wonder Mom has so many gray hairs.”

“I’m a saint.” Lori smiled.

“What you are, is a pain in the ass,” Stacey shrugged before
continuing, “but I love you anyway.”

“Love you, too.”

The two hugged, and Lori assured Stacey a few more times before
heading out to her car. The wind had already kicked up quite a bit since the
last time she was out, and even putting her suitcase in the backseat proved to
be a challenge, with her hair whipping around her face like a blindfold.

She heard the faint voice of her sister, barely audible with the
howling sounds from the storm thrashing through their canyon.

“What?” Lori yelled back.

“Be careful!” Stacey urged again.

“I’ll be fine, but I’ve got to go.”

“Please, promise me you’ll call me if he doesn’t show!”

Lori pretended not to hear the last part, and slid behind the
wheel of her Pathfinder. She understood that her sister meant well, and knew
their bond meant there wasn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for one another, but
this was one of those times she wished Stacey would just let her be.